circulate
verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 
circulated; circulating
1
2
: to pass from person to person or place to place: such as
a
: to flow without obstruction
b
: to become well-known or widespread
rumors circulated through the town
c
: to go from group to group at a social gathering
d
: to come into the hands of readers
specifically
: to become sold or distributed
: to cause to circulate
Examples of circulate in a Sentence
Blood circulates through the body.
Steam circulates in the pipes.
A pump circulates the water through the filter.
Rumors are circulating around town.
The report circulated among the students.
Stories were circulated about mismanagement.
He is circulating a petition asking for a new election.
She circulated among her guests.
Recent Examples on the Web
San Diego still wants to build through pressure, circulate the ball, involve the goalkeeper and create superiority through the midfield.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
These dogs usually have short or hairless coats, allowing air to circulate throughout their body.
—Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Today, rumors circulating on social media in the DRC include false claims that Ebola is not real, that humanitarian workers are descending on the area solely for their own profit and that aid groups are withholding the best care available.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
Come training camp, videos of Claiborne side-stepping defenders will likely circulate.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
These dogs usually have short or hairless coats, allowing air to circulate throughout their body.
—Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Today, rumors circulating on social media in the DRC include false claims that Ebola is not real, that humanitarian workers are descending on the area solely for their own profit and that aid groups are withholding the best care available.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 May 2026
Come training camp, videos of Claiborne side-stepping defenders will likely circulate.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for circulate
Cite this Entry
“Circulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circulate. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
circulate
verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt
circulated; circulating
1
: to move or cause to move in a circle or course
especially
: to follow a course that returns to the starting point
blood circulates through the body
2
: to pass or be passed from person to person or place to place
circulate a rumor
Medical Definition
circulate
intransitive verb
cir·cu·late
ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt
circulated; circulating
: to flow or be propelled naturally through a closed system of channels (as blood vessels)
blood circulates through the body
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